Chivas USA’s Youth Development Academy continues adding trophies! After six rigorous games in the 35th edition of the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup, the Chivas USA U13 Team was crowned the international champion in its category after defeating the TSC Hurricane in the final championship match. A single goal scored by forward Misael Becerra led the team to earn its first championship of the year.

The Red-and-White U13 group reached the championship match after having an impeccable run through the first phase of the tournament. The team lead by Head Coach Brian Kleiban, started off the tournament with a 2-0 win over Sporting United. The following day, the Red-and-White earned a strong 4-0 win over New Jersey based team Cedar Stars Academy and finished off the group phase defeating Ives Estate 1-0.

Moving onto the Dallas Cup Quarterfinals, the Red-and-White defeated fellow Major League Soccer Academy Chicago Fire with a single goal by Josiah Daniel. The victory allowed the Young Goats to advance onto the semifinals where they would battle Mexican squad, Angeles Soccer Elite. In said match, the Red-and-White defeated their Monterrey counterparts 5-1 thanks to a brace from John Hilton and Ulysses Llanez and one goal from Jorge Hernandez.

By the end of the tournament, Misael Becerra, John “Xuxuh” Hilton and Jorge Hernandez finished off as the top goal scorers for the Red-and-White in Dallas Cup, each with three goals each. Ulysses Llanez and Josiah Daniel followed with two goals apiece, while Max Moonier was able to score a goal of his own in the second game of the tournament.

“It’s a huge accomplishment for the team to have won one of the biggest tournaments here in the United States,” Kleiban said. “We had six games in six days and the team was able to overcome all the obstacles put in front of us, go up against good opponents; there was a very good team effort and great accomplishment for the team to get back on top of their age group.”

With the team back in Los Angeles, the Red-and-White U13 team will continue training on a daily basis at the Bell Gardens Sports Complex. For all the latest news and updates on the Chivas USA Youth Development Academy, follow the club on Twitter: @ChivasUSAYouth & @cdchivasusa.